The Savvy Realtor with Angie Cole

With the headlines abuzz about the settlement of real estate commissions, we talk about what the impact will be in the future. Angie outlines what the lawsuit was about and what this means for realtors, buyers, and sellers moving forward. This is a change in how things are practiced, which causes a shift, but not a reason to panic.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• What happens with the NAR settlement?
• Why does ...

As we near spring, Angie and the rest of the team at A Cole Realty are seeing a busy year. More buyers and sellers are ready to make a move and the potential for interest rates lowering down the line has people excited. They’ve even seen some multiple-offer situations! If you’re in the buying market, be prepared for a low inventory with more buyers in the market, which makes it competitive.

After the market update, Angie answers tw...

Some of Angie’s clients are looking for an investment property. Daniel sends in a question to the mailbag to learn what areas are best for long-term value appreciation. Angie talks through this and three other questions from the mailbag in today’s show.

For instance, did you know there’s an exciting new development coming in Chatham county called Asteria? A Storyliving by Disney community is in the works! Whether you are looking fo...

Are the same trends happening in the real estate market happening in our local area? Angie shares what she’s experienced alongside homebuyers and home sellers in the Triangle market. This will give you a good idea of what to expect when you go to buy or sell a home.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• One-third of national real estate sales feature a seller concession.
• Several new offers are coming through.
• Existi...

If you are looking for a home in hopes of finding a bargain, what do you need to know? We look at a slightly older article to see what’s still true in today’s market if you want to find a deal. Knowing what to look for can make all the difference as you bargain shop for your next home. Angie shares her advice so that you don’t accidentally buy something that seems too good to be true and turns out to actually be more money than you...

When selling your home, it can feel like there’s a lot to do to get ready! Angie lays out what to do first when wanting to get a good price for your home. How do you know when it’s right to fix it up vs. selling the home as is? How much effort should you put into it to get a return on that investment of time, money, and effort?

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Mailbag: How to get the best price for my home.
• Mai...

Sometimes people decide to try to do a for sale by owner. Is it worth it or are you likely to face more problems than it’s worth? Angie shares how to be savvy and aware when dealing with a for sale by owner, whether that be on the buyer or the seller side.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Mailbag: How do I navigate the market when buying and selling?
• Mailbag: Is buying from a "For Sale by Owner" risky?
• The hidd...

How does Angie and her team help someone moving from out-of-state find the right spot for them? Even if you’re searching from afar, there’s a lot you can do to research the right fit. Listen in as Angie talks through what criteria to think through, what kind of home layout you need, and then outlines how her team works with long-distance clients.

Here are the questions Angie answers on today’s show:  

• Mailbag: How can you hel...

It’s spooky season! When you walk in a house, do you ever get a sense that it’s haunted? We chat about some untold mysteries before we talk about the top fears homebuyers and home sellers face. From uncovering hidden home damage after closing to losing money in the sale, are any of these things keeping you up at night? Angie reassures us through these fears and strategizes how to overcome them with ease.

Here are the fears we dis...

When you are buying a home, there are a lot of expenses, so it can be tempting to skip out on one more line item. One listener asked, “Should we buy a home warranty? Or is that a waste of funds?” Angie weighs out the pros and cons on this decision that she calls a “no-brainer.” She also answers three more questions from listeners. 

Here are the questions we answer today:

• Mailbag: We tried to sell our house on our own but foun...

We’ve all heard that spring is a good time to list your home. But what about right now so you can sell in the fall? Angie explains why now is a great time to sell your home. Trusting your realtor to guide you through the process can make all the difference in how your experience goes. You might be surprised to get an even better offer now since there is more competition for buyers! Angie also answers listener questions about mortga...

If you are getting nothing but lowball offers as for sale by owners, what does that mean? And how can you set yourself up for success? This episode focuses on answering listener questions from people who are navigating the home-buying process.

Here are the questions Angie answers today:

• Can I get a 30-year mortgage even at an older age?
• If we get only lowball offers, are we priced too high?
• How do you advise an engaged couple...

What are some of the “dirty words” in the world of real estate? Words can carry a lot of meaning, so pay attention to what each of these words can mean for the buyer. From "fixer-upper" to "cozy" to "cash only," Angie breaks down what each of these can entail when buying or selling a home.

Here are the words and phrases we discuss on today’s show:

• A fixer-upper could be an opportunity or a headache.
• Is being a motivated selle...

Wondering why the number of homes on the market seems lower while you search?  We tackle a few questions from the mailbag before we dive into expert predictions focused on the 2023 forecast in the housing market. From inventory levels to home prices, Angie shares what to expect right now in the Triangle (which can be different from the national market).

Here’s what you’ll learn on today’s show:

• Mailbag: Feeling frustrated wit...

Feeling ready to get the search started but worried about where to start? Angie talks about one of the very first steps to take in the homebuying process. Then, she answers another real estate agent’s question about putting down a strong offer to try to win the home! She shares what the risk is with this and what the thought process might look like on the other side. Finally, she shares about the speed of the market when selling a ...

Ever thought about building your own home and wondered about the hidden charges? In this episode, we’re answering some listener questions about new home builds. Fisher and Renny, two of our listeners, are considering building their homes, so Angie dives into the costs and the hidden fees that could quickly add up, such as permits, running utilities, and preparing the lot costs. We’ll also explore the concept of virtual staging in r...

For many people, buying or selling a home happens with a primary residence. But what about a more unconventional route? Angie answers questions from listeners that include everything from a down payment with zero-dollars down to fractional ownership. You might be surprised by the creative solutions people have pursued as they work towards buying a home or investing in real estate.

Here are the questions Angie answers on today’s s...

When you listen to the news, you might be wondering what’s happening with the real estate market. Angie shares how the Triangle market is a bit different than some of the other parts of the country. Will there be a real estate crisis? If so, how can you prepare now?

Here are the questions Angie answers today:

• What’s the pulse of the local real estate market? (0:43)
• Mailbag: Could the US debt default scare cause a massive real...

When you buy or sell a home, you end up working with so many different people to make it happen. Today we talk with some of Angie’s preferred vendors and professionals to hear more about the home-buying process. 

From Tina Konidaris, we hear about the pre-qualification process for a mortgage and why it’s important. Then we talk with Amber Cole about why staging can make a huge difference when you go to sell your home. Craig McCall ...